The 7 Best Things to Do in Janakpur, Nepal 

Are you looking for the best things to do in Janakpur?

You’ve come to the right place! I have been visiting Nepal since 2015 and Janakpur is a place that is less visited by foreign tourists. So if you are looking for a place with less tourists, Janakpur is a great place to check out.

Janakpur is located in the south of Nepal, close to the border to India. It used to be part of the Mithila Kingdom and according to Hindu mythology, it is said to be the place where Sita and Ram got married.

It is a significant, religious place and people come here to perform worship ceremonies at the temples located in the city. If you are interested in Hindu mythology and religion, Janakpur is the place for you!

How to Get from Kathmandu to Janakpur

Kathmandu to Janakpur Night Bus

Bus Ticket price: Rs. 1,000-1,300.

It seems that all the buses going to Janakpur are night buses. The night buses leave between 4-6 pm from Kalanki and Gaushala in Kathmandu.

The bus then arrives in Janakpur around 6-7 am the next day. Once in Janakpur, get off at Ramamand Chowk, as it is the closest stop to the touristy area.

You can buy the bus tickets at travel agencies in Thamel, through your hotel or book online through eSewa.

⚡ Get your power bank now so you don’t have to worry about charging your phone on long bus rides in Nepal!

Kathmandu to Janakpur Minivan (daytime)

Minivan Ticket Price: Rs. 1,200

Apart from the night buses, there are minivans that go to Janakpur during the daytime. The minivans leave at 9 and 10 am in the morning from Gaushala and Koteshwor in Kathmandu.

The minivans go on a shorter route than the night buses so they arrive in Janakpur around 4:30 pm.

The shorter route is not a proper highway, it is a narrower road with many loops so the buses do not take this route. Due to the many loops on this road, a lot of people get motion sickness.

💡 If you need more information, check my guide on how to travel to Janakpur here!

Kathmandu to Janakpur Flight

There are also flights that operate between Kathmandu and Janakpur. The flight takes only 25 minutes and costs USD 57 for foreigners.

Best Time to Visit Janakpur

For Best Weather

The best time to visit Janakpur is between October- November and March-April. The weather is the most pleasant during this time.

In the winter, it can get very cold in Janakpur as it gets cloudy with little sunshine. While, during the monsoon season, it get extremely hot and humid.

☀️ Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen if you are planning to visit Janakpur during the summer monsoon!

During Festivals

If you are curious to see what Janakpur is like during major Hindu festivals, you can visit during Chhath or Ram Navami.

Although, it can be interesting to see Janakpur during Hindu festivals, also keep in mind that there could be a lot of people – so if you don’t like crowded places, you may want to plan it otherwise.

🎆 Check the holiday calendar for Nepal here!

7 Best Things to Do in Janakpur

1. Visit the Janaki Mandir (Janaki Temple)

• Entry fee: FREE
• Opening times: 5:30-11 am, 4-8:30 pm

Janakpur is probably the most famous for the Janaki Temple. The temple is an important Hindu site and is dedicated to Goddess Sita.

The temple is quiet big with smaller shrines inside its courtyard. It is made of marble and stone, and beautifully decorated with colourful Mithila paintings.

In the evenings the temple is lit up in colourful lights. So, make sure to check out the temple both in the day and night time.

It can be interesting to see the rituals at the temple during major Hindu festivals (e.g. Ram Navami) when a lot of people come here for worship. Although if you prefer a more peaceful time, then better to avoid visiting during Hindu festivals. 

2. Visit the Shree Ram Janaki Biwah Mandir

• Entry fee: Rs. 10
• Opening times: 4 am-11 pm

The Shree Ram Janaki Biwah Mandir is right next to the Janaki Temple. It is believed in the Hindu mythology that this is where Sita and Ram got married.

Inside the temple there are sculptures of Ram and Sita recreating their marriage. In the back of the temple, there is also a small park where it is a nice place to relax a bit.

3. Visit the Ram Mandir

• Entry fee: FREE

The Ram Mandir is another significant Hindu temple in Janakpur. It is a smaller temple but a nice place to check out if you are interested in Hindu culture.

A lot of people come here to perform rituals and worship ceremonies, so here you can also see it happen. Outside the temple, there are many vendors selling sweets and flowers for the worship ceremonies.

4. Chill at One of the Ancient Ponds in Janakpur

There are over 70 ponds in Janakpur and due to that, Janakpur is also referred to as the “City of Ponds”.

Some of the more significant ponds include: Ganga Sagar, Dhanusa Sagar, Parshuram Kunda and the Ratna Sagar.

Ganga Sagar is one of the most significant of all the ponds. It is said that the water in the Ganga Sagar was brought there from the Ganga River.

5. Check Out the Mithila Art Paintings

Mithila paintings originate from the Mithila Kingdom (used to be parts of India and Nepal).

Originally, Mithila paintings were painted on the walls of homes during special occasions, such as festivals, marriage or birth. Later, the Mithila art evolved and has also been prepared on canvasses.

As you walk along Janakpur, you will find Mithila paintings around on walls in many places. If you would like to buy some paintings, there are also a few galleries in town where you can buy them.

6. Janakpurdham Railway Station (Nepal’s Only Railway Station)

Nepal’s only railway station is in Janakpur and it connects Janakpur to Jaynagar in India. Trains only go a few times a day, so ask ahead to know what time to come to the station.

The trains are only a few (about 4) cars long and the station is very small. I was excited to see the railway station but in the end, it was just like a small railway station.

7. Try Indian Street Food and Sweets

As Janakpur is close to India, the city is greatly influenced by Indian food. There are many street food vendors and restaurants selling Indian dishes and sweets.

Although you can find most of these in Kathmandu too, you can still try some samosa, samosa chhat, litti (also called kachori) or sweets while in Janakpur.

How to Get Around Janakpur

On Foot or Tuktuks

The centre of Janakpur and the main attractions are nearby each other and can be easily discovered on foot.

However, if you are tired and you just quickly want to get from one place to another, you can hail a tuktuk. There are many tuktuks and usually can get you around the town for around Rs. 30-40. 

Half-day Trips from Janakpur

Generally, I would say that spending 1 day in Janakpur is plenty of time to visit all the attractions.

However, if you are staying in Janakpur for longer than a day, you can consider half-day trips to one these locations. If you like to discover Hindu temples and watch worship ceremonies, these 2 places can be a great option:

Jaleshwor

Jaleshwor can be reached from Janakpur in about 1 hour by bus. It is a popular spot to visit for the Jaleshwor Mahadev Temple.

Dhanushadham

Dhanushadham is also maximum 1 hour from Janakpur by bus. The main attraction to check out here is the Dhanush Mandir. 

Restaurants in Janakpur

Janakpur is mainly visited by Nepali and Indian tourists, so the restaurants mainly cater Indian and Nepali dishes. Also, as Janakpur is located close to India, you will find lots of street food vendors selling Indian snacks.

Laxmi Misthan Bhandar

Cuisine: Indian

The menu is only available in Nepali but the staff helps with selecting the dishes.

Laziz Pizza Janakpur

Cuisine: Italian

Although the restaurant reminds you of fast food restaurants in Europe, the pizza they serve here is pretty good.

Where to Stay in Janakpur

📍 Best Mid-Range Hotel: Hotel Welcome

FAQs: Best Things to Do in Janakpur, Nepal

Is Janakpur, Nepal worth visiting?

Janakpur in Nepal is especially worth visiting if you are interested or follow the Hindu religion.

According to Hindu mythology, Janakpur is said to be the place where Sita and Ram got married. It is a significant, religious place and people come here to perform worship ceremonies at the temples located in the city.

Janakpur has 3 important Hindu temples but even if you don’t follow the Hindu religion, Janakpur is a great place to spend a few days.

What is Janakpur famous for?

Janakpur is famous as the place where Ram and Sita got married, according to the Hindu mythology.

Apart form the religious significance of Janakpur, it is also known for Mithila art paintings, sacred ponds, the Janakpurdham Railway Station (Nepal’s only railway station) and Indian sweets and food.

How many days are required to visit Janakpur, Nepal?

All the main attractions in Janakpur can be visited in a day, thus, it can be a quick trip if you are short on time.

What are the best places to visit in Janakpur?

The best places to visit in Janakpur are the Janaki Mandir (Janaki Temple), Shree Ram Janaki Biwah Mandir, Ram Mandir, ancient ponds, Janakpurdham Railway Station and going to shop for Mithila art paintings.

What are popular things to buy in Janakpur?

Janakpur is famous for Mithila art paintings and therefore one of the best things to buy in Janakpur are Mithila paintings. There are many places where you can buy Mithila paintings in Janakpur for yourself or as a gift.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Janakpur is a place that is less visited by foreign tourists. So if you are looking for a place with less tourists, Janakpur is a great place to check out.

Janakpur is located in the south of Nepal, close to the border to India. It used to be part of the Mithila Kingdom and according to Hindu mythology, it is said to be the place where Sita and Ram got married.

It is a significant, religious place and people come here to perform worship ceremonies at the temples located in the city.

The main attractions in Janakpur include the Janaki Mandir (Janaki Temple), Shree Ram Janaki Biwah Mandir, Ram Mandir, Ancient ponds, Mithila art paintings, and the Janakpurdham Railway Station.

Generally, all attractions in Janakpur can be visited in a day, so if you are short on time, it can be a quick trip.